Your Cart is Empty
The Edge: Juba Polati, Cursed with Talent!
Novedge: Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do.
Juba Polati: My name is Joao Paulo Rahal Polati, but I’ve always been called Juba. I’m Brazilian and I’m an Animator currently living in Vancouver. I have just graduated from Vancouver Film School in the 3D Animation program. 
Novedge: Did you always wanted to become an Animator?
Juba Polati: Not really, throughout my life I’ve wanted to become many things ranging from Paleontologist, to Engineer to Artist. I have always loved Animation though, but it only hit me that you could actually do that for a living when I was in my teens. I did start experimenting with Animation when I was about thirteen, fiddling around with stop motion, and flip books. I even found a way to animate using PowerPoint (since my computer couldn’t run Flash at the time); it really taught me a lot about what Animation was.
Novedge: Your video "Cursed Animation" is brilliant. We love the idea and the execution. What was your inspiration?
Juba Polati: Well thank you very much, I’m glad you enjoyed it! My main inspiration comes from Alan Becker’s Animator vs. Animationseries, it’s a 2D Flash Animation where an animator creates a character that breaks out of his constraints and fights his creator, you should check them out, they are awesome! Plus I’ve also always had this allure with breaking the fourth wall, I guess I just like the idea of taking a fictional creation and bringing it to the real world somehow.https://player.vimeo.com/video/122196369
Cursed from Juba Polati on Vimeo.
Novedge: What are you working on right now?
Juba Polati: Since I just graduated from School, I’m using my free time to work on my own projects and as always trying to improve my Animation. I’m actually creating a Dungeons and Dragons campaign from scratch, to play with my friends. I get to draw the maps and create different characters, it’s an Animators dream.
Novedge: What is your software of choice and why?
Juba Polati: I currently use Autodesk Maya, it’s a great software for 3D Animation, and is used a lot in the Industry, so I definitely recommend it. But the program doesn’t really matter, since you can adapt to any program with time, what is extremely important is knowing the principles of Animation, and how to apply them. I think that by knowing that foundation you can create awesome Animation despite the program you’re using. I’m quoting Sasuke from Naruto here when I say "a tool is only as good as its user" (at least I think it was Sasuke that said that….hahaha). 
Novedge: Who would you like to work for/with?
Juba Polati: That’s a tough question, because I would like to work for and with a lot of people. Mostly I would love to work with hardworking people who strive for creativity and pushing the boundaries. It is what I live for. But if I have to make a name I would love to work as an Animator for Brad Bird. I just enjoy his movies so much because they all have this something special that I can’t quite grasp, and it would be great to be a part of it.
Novedge: There's a series of up and coming animators right now, all coming from Brazil. Why do you think that is?
Juba Polati: Well I know for sure we have amazing and incredibly talented artists in Brazil, and the fact that has become lot more accessible to learn Animation, it only makes sense that we are getting more recognition. But I also know this isn't just a Brazilian phenomenon: I’ve been seeing extremely passionate Animators who make awesome work coming from all over the world. 
Novedge: What's the best advice you would give someone your age (or younger) that wants to become an Animator?
Juba Polati: Animation is hard! Always! (I just needed to get that out of the way, hahaha) Here are my top 5 recommendations:
- Go out and do it!
- Don’t be afraid of failing, that’s the best way to learn.
- Don’t forget the basics (the 12 principles of Animation)! It is the foundation to creating great Animation and if you get that right everything else will come given time.
- Animation is a part of life, so observe everything around you, pay attention to how people act, how they talk and move.
- Most importantly great Animation comes from life experiences. So go out there and live! Have different interests, hobbies, take dancing or martial arts, go to museums and art galleries and inspire yourself, just don’t forget to have fun!
We would love to see Juba Polati hooking up with Brad Bird and begin a stellar career in Animation. Looks like he is on the right track!
If this interview inspired you, make sure to visit Novedgeand pick up your Animation tools.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/93206523
The illusion of life from cento lodigiani on Vimeo.
Editor's Note: The 12 basic principles of Animation were developed by the 'old men' of Walt Disney Studios.These principles came as a result of reflection about their practice and through Disney's desire to use animation to express character and personality. In this Animated video, the Author, Cento Lodigiani, applies those principles to simple shapes.
Related articles
Also in NOVEDGE Blog
